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Characteristics of a corporation (‘AG’) |
Characteristics of a limited liability company ‘GmbH’ |
| Company name |
Company name must end with the word AG or SA. |
Company name must end with the word GmbH. |
Equity capital
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The minimum share capital required is CHF 100 000. |
CHF 20 000 of which CHF 10 000 is paid in.
Max. CHF 2 million. |
Shareholders
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The corporation is founded by at least three shareholders who can also be represented by fiduciaries. |
Only two founding members are required (persons or trading companies). |
Shares
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The fixed incorporation costs amount to approximately CHF 6 500. |
The fixed incorporation costs amount to approximately CHF 6 500. |
Directors
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The "AG" has three corporate bodies: the general meeting of shareholders, the board of directors (supervisory board) and the auditors.
The board of directors must be made up of a majority of Swiss citizens resident in Switzerland. For foreign corporations this function can be carried out fiduciaries, but at least one member of the board of directors must be resident in Switzerland. No secretary needed. |
The founders can themselves act as the corporate bodies (i.e. no board of directors is required).
At least one partner must be resident in Switzerland. |
Registered office
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Required |
Required |
Registered agent
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Not required
|
Not required |
Secretary
|
Not required |
Not required |
Auditing
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Yes |
Optional |
Accounting
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Yes, to maintain proper books of accounts and to retain the accounting records and associated documents generally for 10 years.
Accounts must be audited by professionally qualified auditors. |
Yes, to maintain proper books of accounts and to retain the accounting records and associated documents generally for 10 years. |
Formalities
|
High |
Moderate |
| Anonymity |
Yes |
No |
